Apparatus for flushing extraneous matter from clogged drain pipes



W. LASTING Jan. 29, 1963 R E T T m s U mm P mm un GD mn UG Lw No mm SF m D.. P A

Filed May 29. 1961 2 Sheets-Shen l FIG.8

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Jan. 29, 1963 w. I As-ArlNG 3,075,535 I APPARATU OR FLUSHING EX R M CLOGGED DRA EOUS MATTER IPES Filed May 29. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWI/4.a

y @Kw n 72% j United States Patent 3,075,535 APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING EXTRANEUS MATTER FRGM CLOGGED DRAIN PIPES Walter Lasting, 111-33 116th St., Richmond Hill, N.Y. Filed May 29, 1961, Ser. No. 126,379 8 Claims. (Cl. 134-467) The present invention relates to an apparatus for flushing extraneous matter from clogged drain pipes and has for its main object the provision for this purpose of a simple, inexpensive and practical household utility in which the assembled components comprise a unitary structure. The particular adaptation of the device is to provide a handy portable means for llushing and cleaning out drains of miscellaneous equipment such as the traps of kitchen sinks, food disposals, laundry trays, drinking fountains, lavatories, urinals, water closet bowls, etc.

Water under pressure is primarily the fluid employed in the flushing operation, the intake of the unit having removable connection with an ordinary water faucet. Should the faucet be threaded for hose connection any suitable standard threaded coupling may be used. However most faucets are not so threaded and it is another object of the invention to meet this condition by the provision of a hose connection which is unique and novel in both construction and manner of attachment to a faucet.

On the discharge end of the ushing unit is an elongated inflatable member of resilient material which when in its normal deated condition is insertable axially into a p'pe to be tlushed and, when inflated, conforms to the wall of the pipe and thereby becomes a plug valve functioning to withstand back pressure of uid caused by impact of the latter against material clogging the pipe. While it is known that various expansible ush plugs have heretofore been suggested it is another object of the invention to improve on the prior art by making a plug which, also, is of novel construction and manner in which it functions, one of the improvements being the provision of a plug of such flexibility as to inflate under a relatively low pressure and yet be protected from rupturing when subjected to a considerably higher pressure.

Another and important object of the invention is the inclusion in the flushing unit of means, as a valve, whereby all functions of the flushing operation will be under manual control and visually indicated, and it is still a further object to provide in the fluid intake line a removable container for a chemical substance to be used as an aid in breaking up foreign matter in the clogged pipe.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a household utility of the character and for the purpose described which does not require any particular skill or expert knowledge in its operation; one which is durable, efcient and economical in the work of cleaning all shapes and sizes of pipes, and one which is an improvement hygienically in that physical contact with chemicals and the cleaning uid is avoided.

It will be understood that the above references, and those to follow in the specification and claims, to uid under pressure mean liquid, air or gas. Accordingly the flushing unit may be hooked up to an air compressor instead of a water supply if conditions are such as to make it more expedient and desirable to do so. And, it will be further understood that size being merely relative the flushing unit, while shown and hereinafter described as a household utility, may be of a size to flush down catch basins and manholes of storm and sanitary sewers, in which event the equipment for employing pressure from whatever source would most likely be mounted upon a vehicle suitable for the purpose.

- The accompanying drawings illustrating the invention ice and forming a part of the specification are for the purpose of illustration only, it being understood that certain modieations and changes in construction and operation may be made which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following more detailed description and particularly defined in the appended claims.

The drawings are as follows:

FIG. l is a face view of the apparatus in position for use, the fluid intake being shown connected to a water faucet and the discharge end inserted in a drain pipe with the fiush plug, seen expanded in dotted lines, in proximity to foreign matter clogging the pipe.

FIG. 2 is a cross section on line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows in side view a container insertable in the uid intake line in a manner and for the purpose to be described.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional detail taken through a fragmentary portion ofthe drain pipe, the flush plug in expanded condition and parts associated with the plug.

FIG. 5 is Ia transverse section on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of a water faucet, as seen in FIG. 1, and the coupling means by which the intake hose of the apparatus is attached thereto, all parts being shown in longitudinal section with the inflatable member 4of the coupling shown expanded in dotted outline.

FIG. 7 is a cross section on line 7 7 of FIG. 6 of the coupling member only with the inflatable portion shown expanded.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail in side view of a modication of the invention in which air or gas is employed as the pipe flushing medium, the parts illustrated being the compressed air or gas supply member and associated parts of the apparatus in proximity thereto.

FIG. 9 is a face view of the manually operable control valve.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

And, FIGS. 1l, 12, 13 and 14 are sectional views similar to FIG. 10 but drawn to a smaller scale eachk of the views 1l thru 14 showing the valve in a different selective position of control.

In the drawings similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Numeral 1 represents in general the intake hose for uid under pressure. 'Ihe hose 1 is of exible material, as rubber, and comprises two sections 2 and 3 normally joined together by a standand coupling formed of the male and female threaded parts 4 and 5. In FIG. 1 the coupling members 4 and 5 are disconnected, the purpose of this break in the line being to permit, should a particular difficult clogging situation require it, the introduction into the flushing uid of a chemical solvent in liquid or granulated form that would be an assist in breaking down extraneous material seen at 6 in the drain pipe indicated at '7. A container 8, FIG. 3, for the acid substance Ais shown detached from the intake hose 1. This container thread or an adapter for the attachment of a hose coupling` of standard make. To provide a more universal type of coupling adaptable to any faucet the instant invention contemplates use of a novel connection which attaches itself to the inside of the faucet. Such a coupling includes a slender flexible tubular extension 13 coupled at 14 to the intake end of hose section 2. Slipped over this member 13 is an integrally constructed expansible sleeve indicated generally by numeral 15 and comprising inner and outer side portions 16 and 17, respectively, which are joined together at their ends. Extending from the outer end of sleeve 15 is a short air hose 18 to which is attached an air compressor in the form of a hand compressible bulb 19,V the air hose being provided with the usual air intake and release valve 2t? commonly used in air pumping means of this character.

The tube 13 and surrounding sleeve 15 are inserted axially into the spout 12 of the faucet 11 after which the sleeve 15 is inflated by repeated squeezing of the bulb 10. When expanded, as indicated in dotted lines at 15a, FIG. 6, the sleeve conforms to the wall of the faucet spout 12, thus securely coupling hose section 2 to the faucet 11 and plugging the faucet so that discharge of water into the hose section 2 is through the tube 13. To disengage the coupling the plug is deated by action of the air ref lease valve 2).

Numeral 21 indicates in general a three-way valve having a manually operable body member 22 rotatable in a casing 23 and spring loaded by suitable means, such as the adjusting screw 24 extending through an opening 25 in the casing and threaded yinto the body member 22 and the compression spring 26 surrounding the screw between the casing and the head of the screw. Thus the valve body 22 is yieldingly retained at any selective one of four. positions of angular adjustment. Suitable linger engaging means is provided for turning the valve body. Such a means, in this instance, is shown as a dial 27 integral with the member 22, the dial and face of the casing against which it is rotated being relatively indexed, as shown in FIGS. l and 9, to give visual indication of the particular action of the apparatus being performed when the faucet 11 is open.

The valve casing 23 has an intake opening 28 and two discharge openings 29 and 30 in which tubular inserts 31, 32 and 33 are seated. These inserts protrude from the casing 23 and provide coupling means to which, respectively, are attached section 3 of the intake hose 1 and two iiexible discharge hose 34 and 35 now to be described.

While the dischargehose 34 and 35 may be located adjacent each other in side by side relation, the illustrated embodiment of the invention shows them as one within the other with an annular space between them, 35 being the inner and 34- the outer hose.

The part shown generally at 36, FIGS. 4 and 5, is formedpreferably of plastic and includes two substantially rigid tubular portions 37 and 38 of unequal length and'concentrically*arranged one within the other. They are connectedby radialribs 39, the outer portion 37 being the shorter of the-two and centered longitudinally with respect to the inner portion 38. The forward end of the inner rigid portion 38 terminates in an elongated flexible tube 40 ofV reduced diameter. The other end of this inner portion 38 has avslip-on but permanent connection at 41 with the forward end of the inner hose 35 and in like manner the corresponding ends of the outer hose 34 and the outer tubular portion 37 lof the rigidmember 36 are connected at 42;

Surrounding the flexible tubular extension 40 is an expansible tubular sleeve larger than the faucet sleeve 15 but similar thereto except that its sidewall portions 44 and 45 are separated at their inner ends. These free ends of the side portions 44 and 45 are molded or otherwise formed as' to have slip-on permanent connection at 46 and 47 with the forward ends of the inner and outer rigid portions 38 and 37, respectively of member 36.

Extending through the valve body 22 is a port opening 48 which, when the valve is dialed to the position seen in FIG. l1, provides a passage for uid from the intake opening 28 in the casing 23 with discharge opening 29,V

whereupon fluid from intake hose 1 will ow through the valve, discharge insert 32, hose 34 and outer tubular portion 37 of part 36 into the elastic sleeve 43. Pressure of the fluid will expand the sleeve with the inner portion 44 surrounding the flexible tubular extension 4t) of the part 36 and the outer portion 45 engaging the wall of pipe 7 as shown in dotted outline at 45a, FIG. 1. Thus the intiated sleeve 43 becomes a plug in pipe 7 to absorb back pressure built up in the flushing operation. On completion of the aforesaid plug ination the valve is closed by dialing it to the position shown in FIG. 12.

The third step is to again open the valve, this time to the position shown in FIG. 13 which discloses a second port 49 in the valve body 22, this port providing a connection between the inlet opening 28 and discharge opening St?. Water then flows from the intake hose 1 through the valve, discharge opening 30, hose 35, inner tubular portion 38 of part 36 to flexible extension 4G and discharges into pipe 7 between the clogging substance 6 and the inflated plug 43. Should the use of a chemical solvent be required to break up and dislodge the extraneous material 6, coupling 4-5 in the. intake pipe 1 is disconnected and the acid container 8 inserted in the intakeline as and in the manner hereinabove described.

For the reason that household water pressure varies according to location, elevation and consumption, and as the plug 43 is made of comparatively thin rubber in order to expand when pressure is low, a protective measure is provided to prevent rupturing of the plug when subjected to a relatively high pressure. To meet this re-k quirement the member 43, before ination, is enclosed in ar tine thread nylon net 50 which limits expansion of the plug to the extent needed for its proper functioning. For typical household use these nets will be provided in two sizes, one being adaptable for pipes from one to two inches in diameter and the other size for two to four inch pipes. The open end of the net 50 is tightened by suitable means as a drawA string-51 around the tubular portion 37, see FIG. 4.

When the flushing and cleaning operation has been completed dial 27 is again rotated so that the valve body is in the position shown in FIG. 14 where a port or channel 524 in the rotatable part 22 connects the two discharge openings 29 and 30. This connection releases pressure in the plug 43 and allows the latter to automatically deflate, the elastic material of the plugl in `returning to'normal condition forcingwater in the plug, to back up through the opening 29 and ilow into the discharge opening 30. With the faucet 11 turned off. the deflated plug forming member 43 may be withdrawn from the pipe 7.

In FIG. 8 there is illustrated, diagrammatically,l al modification of the invention in which air or gas' pressure is employed as the pipe flushing medium. The air or gas is retained under a constant predetermined pressure in a container which, in this instanceis shown as anv inflated spherical shaped rubber balloon 53 from which a hose 54, in which a pressure gauge 55 is located' leads to the intake opening of the valve 21 in like manner as the intake hose section 3 seen in FIG, l. The valve 21 and parts beyond would be the same as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 and for that reason have not been shown in FIG. 8. The member 53 is protected against expansion beyond a safe elastic limit by a net 56' used and applied in the manner regarding the net 5t) for the plug member 43. Air or gas is supplied to the inatable member 53 through hose 57 in which is shown a relief valve 58. If air is the uid used to inflate the member 53 the supply source may be any suitable device such as a hand pump or a vacuum cleaner used in reverse. An adapter connecting the hose of such a device and the hose 57 is shown at 59.

yIt is believed that from the foregoing the construction and operation of the invention have been made suiciently clear to call for no further explanation. It may be added however that the invention provides a light-weight, practical, inexpensive and much needed household utility which will function quickly and efficiently with but little effort and no particular skill by the operator. The device is semi-automatic and the pipe plugging means may be termed a ush-plug or blow-plug.

What I claim is:

1. The combination in a drain pipe flushing apparatus of a manually controlled valve, an intake hose having connection at one end to said valve and a coupling on its other end for connection to a source of uid under pressure, an expansible member of resilient material insertable in a pipe to be flushed, two discharge hose leading from said valve one having connection with said expansible member and the other for a portion of its length being surrounded by said expansible member, the said valve having a plurality of port openings respective ones of which are brought into registry to successively connect said intake with said first named discharge hose to inflate said expansible member, with said second named discharge hose to ush the drain pipe, and to connect said two discharge hose together for relief of pressure in the iniiated member.

2. A drain pipe flushing apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said intake hose being in two sections normally jointed by separable coupling members, and by including a chemical solvent container insertable in the intake, the said container including opposing end members attachable to the separated coupling members of said hose sections.

3. A combination according to claim 1 characterized by said two discharge hose lying one within the other with an annular space between them, and by the larger hose being the one having connection with said expansible member and the smaller hose being the one surrounded by such member and employed for flushing the pipe.

4. The combination in a drain pipe ushing apparatus including an intake hose, a coupling on said hose for connection to a source of uid under pressure and an expansible pipe plugging member of resilient material, of a manually operable valve comprising a casing having an inlet and two outlet openings, a body member rotatable in said casing, means for yieldingly holding said body member in selective positions of angular rotation, and a exible hose leading from each of said casing outlets one having connection with and discharging into said expausible member and the other discharging directly into the pipe to be ushed, said valve body having two ports extending transversely therethrough and providing uid passage one to each of said casing outlets from said casing inlet accordving to the respective degree of rotation of said valve body,

the said body also having a channel in its peripheral surface which on a third positioning of the valve body connects the two said outlet openings for the purpose set forth.

5. A pipe flushing apparatus according to claim 4 and including an insert in said inlet opening and each of said outlet openings, each of said inserts providing an attachment for a slip-on hose connection.

6. A pipe flushing apparatus according to claim 4 characterized by said two outlet openings being coaxial and by said discharge hose lying one within the other with an annular space between them.

7. The combination in a drain pipe iiushing apparatus including an intake hose, a coupling on said hose for connection to a source of iiuid under pressure and a manually controlled valve connected to said inlet hose and having two coaxial outlet openings, of an elongated expansible pipe plug of resilient material formed with inner and outer side portions terminating at their outerends in a return bend, an integrally formed coupling comprising an inner rigid sleeve terminating at its outer end in an elongated flexible tubing surrounded for the greater part of its length by said expansible plug, an outer rigid sleeve concentric with said inner sleeve and supported in spaced relation theretoby radial connections between the two, and two iiexible hose one within the other, the inner hose leading from the inner of said valve outlet openings and having slip-on connection with the inner end of said inner sleeve, the outer hose leading from the outer of said valve outlet openings and having slip-on connection with the inner end of said outer sleeve, the said inner and outer portions of said expansible plug member having connection at their free inner ends, respectively, with the outer ends of said inner and outer rigid sleeves.

8. A drain pipe ushing apparatus according to claim 7 and including a protective means for limiting expansion of said pipe plug, the said protective means comprising a net surrounding said plug and having an opening at one end, such open end being formed to it over and be removably attached to the outer end of said outer sleeve.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,273,984 Osborn Feb. 24, 1942 2,413,997 `Rosa Jan. 7, 1947 2,753,876 Kurt July 10, 1956 2,816,780 Ross Dec. 17, 1957 2,822,192 Beatty Feb. 4, 1958 2,976,191 Weston Mar. 21, 1961 

1. THE COMBINATION IN A DRAIN PIPE FLUSHING APPARATUS OF A MANUALLY CONTROLLED VALVE, AN INTAKE HOSE HAVING CONNECTION AT ONE END TO SAID VALVE AND A COUPLING ON ITS OTHER END FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, AN EXPANSIBLE MEMBER OF RESILIENT MATERIAL INSERTABLE IN A PIPE TO BE FLUSHED, TWO DISCHARGE HOSE LEADING FROM SAID VALVE ONE HAVING CONNECTION WITH SAID EXPANSIBLE MEMBER AND THE OTHER FOR A PORTION OF ITS LENGTH BEING SURROUNDED BY SAID EXPANSIBLE MEMBER, THE SAID VALVE HAVING A PLURALITY OF PORT OPENINGS RESPECTIVE ONES OF WHICH ARE BROUGHT INTO REGISTRY TO SUCCESSIVELY CONNECT SAID INTAKE WITH SAID FIRST NAMED DISCHARGE HOSE TO INFLATE SAID EXPANSIBLE MEMBER, WITH SAID SECOND NAMED DISCHARGE HOSE TO FLUSH THE DRAIN PIPE, AND TO CONNECT SAID TWO DISCHARGE HOSE TOGETHER FOR RELIEF OF PRESSURE IN THE INFLATED MEMBER. 